Report of a meeting
held in the Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, 30 Laings Road,

Lower Hutt on

Tuesday 14
March 2017 commencing at 5.00pm

PRESENT: Mayor WR Wallace (Chair)

Cr G Barratt Cr C Barry

Deputy Mayor D Bassett Cr L Bridson

Cr J Briggs Cr MJ Cousins

Cr S Edwards Cr T Lewis

Cr G McDonald Cr
C Milne (from 5.25pm)
Cr L Sutton

APOLOGIES: Cr Lulich and Cr Milne for lateness.

IN ATTENDANCE: Mr T Stallinger, Chief Executive

Ms K Kelly, General Manager, Strategic Services

Mr B Sherlock, General Manager, City Infrastructure

Ms J Raffills, General
Manager, Governance and Regulatory

Mr M Reid, General Manager, Community Services

Mr S Keatley, Huia Pool Manager

Mr M Mercer, Divisional Manager Community Hubs

Ms S Simcox, Communications and Marketing Team
Leader

Ms M Laban, Community Projects and Relationships
Manager

Mr B Monaghan, Divisional Manager City
Promotions

Mrs J Stevens, Corporate Planner

Ms K Stannard, Divisional Manager Secretariat Services

Ms H Clegg, Minute Taker

PUBLIC
BUSINESS

1.APOLOGIES

Resolved:Minute
No. CPC 17101(2)

“That the apologies received
from Crs Lulich and Milne for lateness be accepted.”

2. PUBLIC COMMENT

Comments are recorded under the
item to which they relate.

3.CONFLICT
OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS

There
were no conflict of interest declarations.

4. Recommendation to Council - 14 March 2017

Annual Plan
2017-2018 (17/375)

Speaking under public comment, Mr Max Shierlaw
expressed concern with the wording “without putting an additional
burden on ratepayers” contained in the Consultation Document. He
considered the wording was misleading as debt levels would increase with the
proposed new Financial Strategy. He also expressed concern that the
information contained under the heading ‘Limits on Borrowing’, was giving a
false impression that the existing Financial Strategy was tight. He
considered that this was not the case. He queried the percentage figures
under the heading ‘Limits on Borrowing’ stating that the net debt level for
years 1-3 would actually be 170%. He also considered that the Consultation
Document required updating with regard to the projected population numbers.

The Corporate
Planner elaborated on the report.

Cr Lewis expressed concern at the word
“sustainable” contained in the Consultation Docment. She believed that all
options for sustainability had not been explored and using the word added
weight to that argument.The Chief
Executive advised that officers would review the the relevant paragraph.

The Chief Executive elaborated on the
proposed Annual Plan 2017-2018. He acknowledged that the public speaker
raised valid comments. He advised that officers would review the suggested
changes raised by the public speaker.

In response to a question from a member,
the Chief Executive advised that any questions regarding the reasons for
projects not being included in the draft budget could be directed to the
Chief Financial Officer or any member of the Strategic Leadership Team.

Officers were requested to distribute the
final version of the Consultation Document for this year’s Annual Plan
consultation when available.

Mayor Wallace reminded Councillors that
all the projects contained in the Consultation Document had been thoroughly
debated at the recent Community Plan Committee meeting. He highlighted that
the proposed delay of funding for Petone Sportsville was by three years and
the Wainuiomata Hub development was by two years. He highlighted that this
did not indicate that the projects were not important. He noted that in
order to undertake the projects, whilst maintaining debt levels, officers believed
deferring them was the best solution. He reminded Councillors that this
could be revisited after the consultation period.

The Chief Executive explained that the new Financial Strategy provided for
further funding to be released each year and that this may enable deferred
projects to be brought forward to next year.

Mr Milne joined the meeting at 5.25pm.

Mayor Wallace highlighted that it was an
exciting time for the City. He emphasised that Council was being bold taking
the City forward. He acknowledged that flooding was a enormous risk to the
City. He encouraged Councillors to make themselves available for the
upcoming public meetings.

Resolved: (Mayor
Wallace/Deputy Mayor Bassett)Minute No. CPC 17102(2)

“That Council:

(i)notes that the underlying information
for the Annual Plan 2017-2018 was adopted by Council following the 21
February 2017 Community Plan Committee meeting;

(ii)approves the budget as outlined by the
Chief Executive and the Strategic Leadership Team; and

(iii) adopts the Consultation Document attached as Appendix 1 for public
consultation between 28 March and 28 April 2017.”

5. QUESTIONS

There were no questions.

There being no further business
the Chair declared the meeting closed at 5.35pm.